Question

A rectangular garden is 20 ft longer than it is wide. Its area is 8000 ft{}^2. What are its dimensions?

w(w+20) = 8000
w^2+20w = 8000
w^2+20w-8000 = 0
(w-80)(w+100) = 0

w-80 = 0
w=80

or

w+100 = 0
w = -100

I think that x=80 makes more sense. However what would the length be if the width is equal to 80 in this problem ? please help Im stuck and am not sure what the final answer for this question would be.

Answer 1

Excuse me? You already know that the length is 20 more than the width.

So, if the width is 80, the length is 100.

Sure enough, 80*100 = 8000

Or, since you know the width is 80, and area = length*width

8000 = 80 * length
length=100

Don't forget your algebra I now that you're taking college algebra.

Answer 2

Thank You. I guess I was over thinking the problem a bit!lol It's my first semester and everything's so new.

Thanks so much again